What Should You Change in Your Fall Outfits During the Lingering Summer Heat? 3 Ways to Look “Like It’s September”—Even When It’s Still Hot

Although the weather is better than last year, there have still been days in September when temperatures have exceeded 30 degrees, and the days remain hot enough to make you break a sweat. However, if you dress exactly the same as you did in July or August, your outfit might look like it’s stuck in the height of summer. That said, there’s no need to forcefully add a jacket or sweater just to match the season.When putting together outfits for the lingering summer heat in fall, the key is to “reduce the elements that make your look too summery” rather than simply “adding more fall clothes.” Just by changing the three items introduced here, you can update your look to feel more like September while still staying cool.

On Hot Days, Adjust Skin Exposure to Lean Toward Fall by Choosing 'What to Show and What to Hide'

When temperatures are high, it’s natural to want to show some skin in short sleeves and shorts, but as we transition into fall, it’s important to pay attention not only to the “amount” of skin you reveal but also to the “where.”The more areas of your body that are exposed—such as your neck, arms, legs, and feet—the stronger the summery impression becomes. For example, if you’re wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt, switch to long pants for your bottoms and wear socks and loafers to minimize exposure at the ankles. Even if you leave your arms slightly exposed, simply covering your legs and below will change the seasonal feel.

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What Makes an Outfit Look Summery Is the ‘Layering of Summer Elements,’ Rather Than Summer Clothes Themselves

You don’t have to stop wearing short-sleeved shirts and shorts the moment September arrives.What you need to watch out for is whether too many elements strongly associated with summer are layered together in a single outfit. For example, combining a short-sleeved T-shirt, shorts, and sandals creates a look that’s pure midsummer. Instead, if you’re wearing shorts, switch to a long-sleeved shirt and pair them with sneakers or leather shoes.If you limit strong summer elements to just one, simply pairing it with more year-round pieces will give the outfit a more subdued look.

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The same goes for short-sleeved open-collar shirts.While pairing them with shorts or linen pants would accentuate a resort vibe, pairing them with full-length slacks or jeans—and wearing sneakers, leather shoes, or other footwear besides sandals—allows you to transition to a late-summer, early-fall look.Even removing just one summer element can drastically change your look, so the key isn’t to “stop wearing summer clothes” but rather to “avoid layering too many summery items.” This “subtraction” is the secret to balancing the lingering summer heat with a sense of the season.

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Before Layering, Add ‘Visual Weight’ with Accessories and Footwear” subtitle (“How to Make Late-Summer Fall Outfits Look More September-Appropriate”) (3)”

When trying to create an autumnal look, we tend to think in terms of “adding layers”—like throwing on a shirt, wearing a jacket, or layering knitwear. However, this isn’t practical during the lingering summer heat, when daytime temperatures exceed 30 degrees. Instead, consider a method that adds visual weight using only accessories and footwear, without increasing the amount of fabric covering your body.For example, swap a lightweight canvas bag for a sturdy leather bag. Simply switching from something light to something that feels dense and substantial creates a focal point within your outfit.

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Belts, too, can be effective, even in small ways.If you’ve been wearing a mesh belt—typical of spring and summer—swap it out for a solid, seamless leather belt. This shifts the look from a light, airy, woven texture to a neat, refined impression with a solid surface. For footwear, switch from lightweight shoes like canvas sneakers to leather shoes such as loafers or derbies.Rather than simply thinking, “It’s fall, so I’ll wear leather,” the key is to incorporate “surface,” “density,” and “heft” somewhere in your outfit. Before adding another layer, make one element—whether it’s your bag, belt, or shoes—slightly heavier. This allows you to move forward with the visual season while keeping your perceived body temperature virtually unchanged.